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STEP 3.)
break transmission pan seal
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the factory uses red RTV sealant as a gasket.
this sealant gets hot and bakes on as it adheres to the trans and pan.
i used a rubber mallet to tap around the pan to loosen the sealant.
a sharp flat chisel helped to carefully pry the pan loose at a corner:
a quick note about the dipstick tube:
its a 2 piece unit held together with some kind of o-ring.
i couldn't get mine to seperate, so i unbolted the upper half in the engine compartment.
the dipstick tube is wedged in place on route to the engine compartment.
it is now all that holds the pan up - as seen in the lower right: